In a significant development in the ongoing saga of the Slender Man stabbing case, Morgan Geyser, the young woman convicted for her role in the heinous act, was arrested late Sunday night in the south suburbs of Chicago. Geyser's arrest in Posen, Illinois, concluded a multi-state manhunt that had law enforcement agencies on high alert. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7 coverage of the incident, providing real-time updates and insights.
Morgan Geyser, who infamously stabbed her classmate 19 times in 2014 to appease the fictional character Slender Man, was apprehended after she allegedly severed her Department of Corrections monitoring bracelet and fled from a Wisconsin group home. Authorities confirmed that she was located at approximately 9:54 p.m. at a Thornton's Truck Stop located at 14840 S. Western Avenue in Posen. Geyser was found unharmed and reportedly in the company of a 42-year-old man, with whom she is believed to be in a relationship. Both had taken a bus to Posen, and the man faces charges for criminal trespassing and obstructing identification.
Before her capture, Geyser had last been seen in Madison, Wisconsin, around 8 p.m. on Saturday, accompanied by an adult acquaintance. The Posen police department received notice of her disappearance early Sunday morning. In a heartfelt statement, Geyser's mother, Angie Geyser, urged the public to assist in locating her daughter, saying, "If you see Morgan, please call the police. Morgan, if you can see this, we love you and just want to know you are safe."
In March 2023, a pivotal ruling by Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael Bohren allowed Geyser to be released from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute and sent to a group home after three psychologists testified to her readiness for supervised release. As part of this agreement, she was required to wear a monitoring bracelet. However, police reported that Geyser managed to remove it and leave the facility on Saturday night.
In light of the recent developments, Geyser's attorney, Tony Cotton, publicly urged her to turn herself in, emphasizing that it would be in her best interest. Geyser and her accomplice, Anissa Weier, were charged as adults and pleaded guilty to stabbing their classmate, Payton Leutner, when they were just 12 years old. Both girls later had their guilty pleas vacated after being found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, leading to their placement in psychiatric institutions.
Payton Leutner and her family are actively aware of the recent situation regarding Morgan Geyser. A spokesperson for the Leutner family confirmed that they are safe and are collaborating closely with local law enforcement to ensure their continued protection. The family expressed gratitude towards the various law enforcement agencies involved in the efforts to apprehend Geyser and appreciated the overwhelming support from the community during this challenging time.
In January 2023, Judge Bohren had mandated the state Department of Health Services to create a plan for Geyser's supervised release. Despite concerns raised by prosecutors about Geyser's previous violent communications and troubling reading material, she was transferred to a group home in March. Geyser had previously been sentenced to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in 2018 after pleading guilty to first-degree attempted intentional homicide.
In an interview with ABC's 20/20 in October 2019, Payton Leutner discussed her journey towards recovery and her determination to reclaim her narrative following the traumatic experience. "I've come to accept all of the scars that I have," she stated, emphasizing her resilience and commitment to moving forward with her life.
The developments surrounding Morgan Geyser's recent arrest are a stark reminder of the complexities involved in cases of mental health and criminal justice. As the situation unfolds, authorities will continue to monitor Geyser's status closely, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken for the safety of the community and the individuals involved.